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Costa Rica.
Costa Rica Connoisseur

Day 1: San Jose

Arrive at San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport and transfer to your Central Valley area hotel. Take in new sights, sounds, smells, and the tropical warm air of Costa Rica. Overnight at Studio Hotel.

Day 2: Monteverde - Nectandra Cloud Forest Garden

Savor an early morning cup of
Costa Rican coffee and enjoy a hearty breakfast before departing to the Nectandra
Cloud Forest Garden. Located 80 km northwest
of San Jose, this garden is the centerpiece of 104 hectares (257 acres) of
primary and secondary forest. Plants
featured in the horticultural observation area are from the preserve and its
immediate surroundings. Some of the
plants are featured as aesthetic elements while others are highlighted for
their importance in medicinal, indigenous and cultural uses. Temporary exhibits highlight scientific
information related to the ecology of the cloud forest.

Beyond the garden, the
remaining biological preserve is restricted to scientific field research
carried out by the Nectandra Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to
scientific research and community outreach programs promoting conservation of
cloud forests and stewardship of watershed ecosystems in northern Costa
Rica. Current scientific activities
include botanic inventory of prominent plant groups such as bryophytes, ferns,
bromeliads and orchids, preparation and identification of herbarium specimens
of dominant and unusual plants and investigation into the variables influencing
natural reforestation in cloud forests.

Two naturalist-guided tours are
available differing in both length and terrain. Be touched by the exuberance of life in the
cloud forest and experience the overwhelming sense of peace under the forest
canopy. A walk through the forest is not
a passive experience as you will take in sounds of the flora and fauna during
your journey along these well designed trails.

Enjoy a typical Tico lunch at the Gardens featuring seasonal fruits and vegetalbes served to capture the diversity of fresh ingredients from local growers. Continue onward to the Monteverde Cloud Forest located in Costa Rica's Northern Tilaran Mountain Range at an altitude of 5000 feet above sea level where the continental divide between the Pacific and Caribbean is located. Take in the sunset over the gulf of Nicoya as you savor local flavors at the hotel restaurant. Overnight at Monteverde Lodge.

Day 3: Monteverde - Monteverde Reserve & Butterfly Garden

A guided naturalist hike introduces you to the unique Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The reserve extends down both slopes of the Tilaran Mountains covering an elevation range of 2,300 to 5,600 feet and encompassing eight different ecological zones. Over 100 species of mammals, 400 of the approximately 850 species of birds in Costa Rica and 1,500 species of plants are protected in this region.

Depending on your luck and patience, you may observe the resplendent quetzal, the three-wattled bellbird, the emerald toucanet, and white faced and howler monkeys in the natural habitats. Return to the lodge around mid-day to enjoy a local lunch before immersing yourself in the colorful world of butterflies. Explore the garden where butterflies and other insects are raised and displayed in shade cloth enclosures within tropical gardens. Overnight at Monteverde Lodge.

Day 4: Arenal Volcano

Leave the cloud forest behind and depart on a land and boat journey to Arenal. Climb into a 4-wheel drive vehicle and travel to Rio Chiquito, a small town on the shore of Lake Arenal. Board a boat for the transfer across the lake, docking near the Arenal Dam where transportation awaits to complete your journey to Arenal. Take in stunning views of the volcano which has been active since 1968. Overnight at Hotel Arenal Manoa or Volcano Lodge.

Day 5: Arenal Volcano - Hanging Bridges & Hot Springs

After breakfast, depart for a morning hike to the Arenal Hanging Bridges. This project consists of eight fixed bridges, ranging in length between 8 and 22 meters, and six hanging bridges, built with the latest techniques and designed with an eye for both beauty and safety. The hanging bridges are between 48 and 98 meters long. All the bridges are made of galvanized steel and high-strength aluminum. The safety mesh and the suspension cables are all galvanized steel. The entire project was designed to blend with the natural environment, leaving the forest virtually intact. The trails, covering a distance of about 3.1 km, are right inside the forest. As you walk, you can appreciate a great diversity of flowers and wildlife that are typical of the rain forest as well as some imposing views of the Volcano (weather permitting).

Depart from the hotel to a private reserve near the north-facing slopes of the Cordillera de Tilarán which offer volcano views, to be enjoyed from an aerial Sky Tram that rises 236 meters in a 1250 meters ride, taking visitors up to a Mirador (lookout point) where the Sky Trek zip line circuit starts. There are currently ten zip line cables and they range in height from 30 meters to 200 meters and in length from 200 meters to 750 meters. Before leaving the main building to start your tour, you will be fitted with all of the necessary safety equipment (harness, helmet, gloves), which the guides will take care to properly adjust. Afterwards the guides will deliver a safety speech detailing proper form and the innovative braking system. Zipping along nearly two miles (three kilometers) of cables, you will see the rain forest as well as get a panoramic view of the volcano and lake from a whole new perspective.

Soothe tired muscles with an afternoon soak in the Hidalgo Family Hot Springs followed by a typical Costa Rican dinner prepared under a rustic rancho. Enjoy the true tradition of local hospitality! Overnight at Hotel Arenal Manoa.

Day 6: Central Highlands to the Jungle Canals of Tortuguero

Begin the scenic drive from the Central Highlands to the Caribbean coast in the early morning, passing through small towns, lush farmlands and forests until descending among the many banana plantations of the Caribbean lowlands. Bananas were once Costa Rica's primary export crop before the introduction of coffee. Upon reaching the coast, board a jungle boat to meander through the languid tropical rivers and canals of Tortuguero's lowland rain forest in search of shore birds, sloths, monkeys and caimans. Tortuguero National Park preserves 51,870 hectares of land and is one of the last large tropical rain forests in Central America. Overnight at Tortuga Lodge.

Explore the flooded lowland rainforest of Tortuguero National Park, established to protect nesting sea turtles and the forest habitat, one of the best areas to see wildlife in Costa Rica. Glide quietly through the natural jungle canals in an electric boat with a local Tortuguero guide who helps you spot and photograph the lush flora and fauna. Bring binoculars and keep a keen eye out for river otters, monkeys, iguanas and a myriad of tropical birds including macaws, toucans and trogons. Visit the Caribbean Conservation Natural History Center to learn about the history of the Atlantic Green sea turtle and turtle conservation and research programs. Take time to wander the deserted beach and swim in the lodge pool. During turtle nesting season (July through October) a guided night walk on the beach is available, allowing you to witness giant sea turtles digging nests and depositing eggs in the sand (not included). Overnight at Tortuga Lodge.

Day 8: Scenic Flight and Coffee Tour

Depart the local airstrip for a spectacular 30 minute flight over the jungle lowlands and central highlands back to San Jose. Upon arrival, transportation awaits to take you to a local coffee plantation.

Located in Sabanilla, the coffee capital of Costa Rica, the farm belongs to the Costa Rican Vargas Ruiz family, pioneers of coffee production for more than 70 years. Tour the Doka Estate and learn about how coffee is cultivated, harvested and roasted. The tour takes you through all stages beginning with a seed bed and ending in the Coffee House where you will taste the finished product.

Enjoy a farewell dinner and one last Costa Rican evening. Overnight at Studio Hotel.